Search form

Search

Skepticism Over Rail in Florida

January 5, 2010, 7am PST

Gov. Charlie Crist recently signed legislation to build a new 61-mile rail line through the Orlando area. The bill pits Republicans against Republicans in the Sunshine State, as evidenced by protesters at the press conference.

Republican politicians are behind the bill, but "Tea Baggers" and other conservatives believe it is wasted money.

Kevin Butler, a Republican who is considering a bid for Florida's 8th Congressional District, was among the protesters.

""I'm upset with what the politicians are doing now," Butler said. "They seem to be out of touch with what the people want."

Butler called SunRail a huge waste of taxpayer money that will never earn a profit for the state or region.

"It's a project no one is going to ride," he said. "Mass transit typically succeeds in areas where parking is an issue and traffic is horrendous, and Orlando doesn't qualify. I don't see it in the short term being something that's beneficial.""